Jay Jacobs – Out On A Limb

Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs, the lone party leader supporting Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi for governor, says he’ll be at the Democratic Convention in Buffalo at the end of this month, even though his candidate won’t be participating.

“I believe the Democratic Party in this state needs some change, and I believe from myÂ position as party chair,Â I have certain responsibilities both to theÂ party as a whole, and to my delegation from Nassau,” Jacobs said. “So I’m going to work within that context to effect change. I’m not going to stand out of the process.”

What that all boils down to is this: Jacobs has a vote, and he intends to cast it. So, don’t be surprised if Suozzi does, in fact, receive some support on the convention floor, even though he won’t be there.

“The bottom line is, however it gets cast, it will be cast in a way that is obvious I support Tom Suozzi,” Jacobs said of his vote.

All told, Nassau County is worth 5.53 percent of the weighted state committee vote. Jacobs estimated he’ll have all but “three or four” of the 21 current Nassau County state committee slots voting with him in Suozzi’s favor.

Nassau is also the largest county still up for grabs in the AG race. Jacobs said he likely make up his mind on an endorsement some time next week. He said the choice will probably come down to either frontrunner Andrew Cuomo of his onetime running mate, Charlie King.

Jacobs was one of the few party leaders to back Cuomo and King in 2002 when they were running for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

“It’s deja vu all over again,” Jacobs joked, after I noted he’s starting to make a habit of bucking the party establishment. “I like going out on a limb.”